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Menstrual Cycle Information

The menstrual cycle is something that most women aren't fond of. From Aunt Flo's monthly visits to cramps, mood swings and food cravings, the menstrual cycle can wreak havoc in some women's lives. However, as unpleasant as it may be, it is the cycle of life and is a crucial part of your fertility.

  1. The Facts

    • Menstruation, better known as a period, is the monthly bleeding that occurs in women of child-bearing age. Girls usually begin menstruating around the age of 12. Every month you don't become pregnant, your body sheds the inner lining of the uterus. When impregnated, a fertilized egg would be implanted into that lining, but if the egg isn't fertilized, there is no need for it. The menstrual blood flows from the uterus, through the cervix and out through the vagina.

    Menstrual Cycle

    • Your menstrual cycle should be around 28 days long. However, cycles can range from 21 to 45 days in teens and from 21 to 35 days in adults. You calculate the length of your menstrual cycle by counting from the first day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next. Your body controls your menstrual cycle by producing hormones, levels of which vary throughout the month.

    Premenstrual Syndrome

    • Premenstrual syndrome is more commonly known as PMS. The symptoms of PMS usually appear one to two weeks before your period begins and usually go away once your period starts. Most of the time, PMS is just a general annoyance, but for some women it can be debilitating. Some symptoms of PMS include: breast swelling and tenderness, acne, fatigue, insomnia, headache, backache, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, food cravings, change in appetite, joint or muscle pain, trouble concentrating, anxiety, depression, tension, irritability, crying spells and mood swings. There are over-the-counter medications that you can take for PMS, but you should talk to your doctor if your symptoms are interfering with your daily life.

    Problems with the Menstrual Cycle

    • Menstrual cycles tend to be unpredictable. Some problems that women experience with their monthly cycles are amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding. Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period and can be caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, eating disorders, serious illness, stress, excessive exercising or hormonal problems. Dysmenorrhea is a condition where women experience severe cramps and painful periods. Abnormal uterine bleeding consists of very heaving bleeding, unusually long periods, bleeding between periods and periods that are too close together.

    Menopause

    • When you permanently stop ovulating and are no longer able to get pregnant, you are going through menopause. Menopause generally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average age for the onset of menopause in American women is 51. Early menopause can occur, so it is important to talk to your doctor if you haven't had a period in more than 90 days. That way, he can rule out hormonal imbalances and early menopause. Some symptoms of menopause include vaginal dryness, insomnia, hot flashes, mood swing, thinning hair, increased abdominal fat and loss of breast fullness.

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